The infrastructure of sports at Florida State

Florida State University is a top 20 public school in the nation, based on a variety of academic merits. However, this ranking doesn’t consider one of the most attractive characteristics of attending FSU: the infrastructure of the campus. Florida State is a beautiful university, dominated by brick buildings and sprawling oak trees, with the main attractions being the various sports stadiums. 

All of FSU’s stadiums have storied timelines, serving as monuments for the most iconic moments in college sports history. Fans flock to these stadiums throughout the year, unaware of their significance in shaping FSU’s campus. The facilities we see on campus today have quite literally facilitated the growth of the FSU as a whole and will continue to do so in the future.

The first to emerge was Doak Campbell Stadium — home of the men’s football team — in 1950. At the time, Doak held no more than 15,000 people. Since, the stadium has seen many renovations and additions, bringing that number to an impressive 79,560. In 2003, the field was named “Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium,” in honor of the late, great FSU head coach Bobby Bowden.

Doak is without a doubt the main attraction of sports here at Florida State. Not only is it the perfect environment for watching one of the most iconic programs in college football, but it’s also an architectural marvel. Doak Campbell Stadium is the largest continuous brick structure in the United States and the 49th largest stadium in the world. It is by far the largest destination in Tallahassee, occupying the southwest side of campus.

The next to rise would be Tully Gym — home of the women’s volleyball team -— in 1953. The gymnasium is adjacent to the Bobby E. Leach Student Recreation Center on campus. It is named after former FSU graduate and football player Robert (Bobby) Henry Tully. The iconic gymnasium now holds nearly 1,200 occupants after several renovations since its construction. It was once home to the men’s basketball team and has long served as a venue for a variety of recreational events on campus, including school dances and intramural sports.

In 1981, Florida State constructed another multi-purpose arena called the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center on the southeast side of campus. Now home to the men’s and women’s basketball teams, the arena holds upwards of 12,000 occupants. The Civic Center houses a wide range of ticketed events, including concerts, comedy shows, monster truck rallies, family events, conferences and of course, basketball. The stadium is as versatile as the teams who play in it. 

Two years later, in 1983, FSU baseball would be given a home at Dick Howser Stadium. In 2005, the field at Dick Howser was dedicated to former head coach Mike Martin, who led the Seminoles from 1980-2019. The ballpark is located on the west side of campus on Stadium Drive. It sits among a cluster of stadiums that includes the softball and soccer complexes. Dick Howser holds more than 5,000 fans at a time. The beautifully groomed field and state-of-the-art facilities for players and fans alike make Dick Howser Stadium a premier destination to watch America’s favorite pastime. 

In 1998, the Seminole Soccer Complex was built just three years after the women’s soccer team was officially named a varsity sport. The 2,000 seat stadium is a vessel for one of the most impressive dynasties in college sports, led by legendary women’s soccer head coach Mark Kirkorian. 

Finally, the Seminole Softball Complex — home of the women’s softball team — was built in 1999. In 2005, the field was named after JoAnne Graff, who was then the active coach of the softball team. The stadium holds nearly 1,000 fans, and regularly hosts NCAA and ACC events in the postseason. 

All of these stadiums and arenas are equipped with state-of-the-art video boards and sound systems. FSU’s stadiums are well-groomed, well-staffed, and cared for to enhance the experience for fans, players and coaches alike. 

Take a stroll down Stadium Drive or opposite campus down Pensacola Street to visit these historic buildings yourself.